This publication is designed to provide a contemporary and comprehensive description of the social, demographic and economic structure of the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). It also includes analyses relating to the physical environment, government, education, health, law and order, transport, tourism and housing. A chapter on the Australian Capital Region (ACR) is also included, covering a range of socio-economic statistics for the region.

Information used for Australian Capital Territory in Focus has not been restricted to ABS output. A wide range of data from other agencies, including Territory and Commonwealth agencies, have been used to give as broad a picture of the ACT as possible.

The statistics contained in this publication were the most recent available at the time of its preparation. In some cases, the ABS web site <http://www.abs.gov.au> and the web sites of other organisations, can provide access to more recent and detailed statistics.

The ABS welcomes readers suggestions about Australian Capital Territory in Focus and I encourage you to write to me with any comments that you may have. The content and structure of this publication is currently under review, and this is likely to be the final issue of this publication produced as a hard-copy product. Future issues will only be available from the ABS web site as HTML documents or PDF files..

ABS publications draw extensively on information provided freely by individuals, businesses, governments and other organisations. Their continued cooperation is greatly appreciated. I extend my thanks and appreciation to those organisations that have supplied material for inclusion in this publication and the ABS staff involved in its preparation.